811.504 Mexico/61: Telegram
The Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 21—12:15 a.m.]
825. Reference correspondence relating to Mexican labor contracted for work in the U. S. Mr. Tello, Oficial Mayor of the Foreign Office, in a conversation with an officer of the Embassy this morning, declared that so many adverse reports of poor treatment of Mexican track workers are being received from Mexican Consuls and workers themselves that the Mexican Government has gone as far as to consider denouncing the agreement with the War Manpower Commission, dated April 29, 1943. Mr. Tello said that in addition to the wage difficulty with the Santa Fe Railroad concerning which the Mexican Government feels it has received no satisfaction, complaints are being received daily alleging poor food and lodgings, lack of sanitation and in general inadequate disposition on the part of those responsible for administering the program to consider the welfare of the workers. Mr. Tello added that he had prepared telegraphic instructions to the Mexican Embassy at Washington to make urgent and pressing representations to the State Department seeking a transfer of all track workers now in the U. S. to either various industries or agriculture.
The officer of the Embassy made it clear that the U. S. Government would consider it most unfortunate if the track worker program had to terminate for the reasons set forth by Mr. Tello; that an opportunity to discuss difficulties should be afforded and a way found to avoid or to remedy.
The officer suggested that rather than place the matter in the hands of the Mexican Embassy it might be better to have a qualified representative of the War Manpower Commission come down here to take part in such discussions. Mr. Tello seemed pleased with the [Page 570] suggestion and added that the Mexican Government for its part would consider requesting its Inspector General of Consulates in the U. S. to come to Mexico City for the proposed deliberations.
There can be no doubt that the Mexican Government is seriously concerned over the treatment of its track workers in the U. S. Mr. Tello says that he and other Mexican officials are delighted with the manner in which the Mexican farm labor is being handled but the fact that this latter type of labor is so well treated makes the position of the track labor all the more impossible. It was pointed out to Mr. Tello that the sincerity and desire on the part of the War Manpower Commission to carry out to the full its commitments under the agreement should not be doubted and that therefore, there must be some way by which the major objects of the Mexican Government can be met.
In view of the attitude of the Mexican Government I consider it of the utmost importance that someone high in the War Manpower Commission with a knowledge of the workings of the agreement and authority to speak in the name of the Commission come to Mexico City as soon as possible in order to participate in these discussions. I will appreciate an urgent reply to this message.